There I was in Goodwill, crawling through the housewares when I paused to check an alert on my phone. A friend’s photo of a gorgeous sunset on the beach popped up, and when I went back to thrift shelf scanning, there it was. A vintage spice rack that someone else had painted purple, using it to house her button collection. But with the beach photo still burning a hole in my mind and the spice rack in front of me, I had an idea. To create a sand collection display in the old spice rack!
And while I purchased the purple spice rack (for the bottles, really), I already had a plain one that wouldn’t need as much work to bring my vision to life.
And, yes, I’m no stranger to collecting my own beach sand for projects in the past. Take my DIY message in a bottle craft idea, for example.
But anyway. Lots of people collect sand from their favorite beach vacations, and this would be a terrific way to display a sand collection!
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Displaying a Sand Collection in a Wooden Spice Rack
Recycling the glass spice jars to hold a sand collection would be quick and easy. But, I had a slight problem…
I only had beach sand from a couple of my own beach vacations and trips! But for the purposes of this blog post, I was going to need A LOT MORE SAND!
That’s when I decided to put a call out on my Facebook page for some audience participation: Who would be willing to send me some beach sand from where you live or where you’ve traveled to?
And just like that, the happy mail started to arrive- from Europe, and Canada, the States, and beyond…
** A special blogging thanks to Vintage Picks by Jen, Annie H., Tracy S., Helen Jane P., Stephanie Joy, and my friends, Jerry & Teri for the sand samples! **
Once I had all the samples of beach sand I needed for my photos, I created some labels of the beach names.
Then, I printed them on full-page labels I bought on Amazon.
Next, I used my “scientific” measuring cups to pour the beach sand into the glass spice jars. My craft funnels came in handy for this, too.
The scientist in me loved studying all the different sand grains, too! My favorite is the sand from O’ahu that looked like teeny tiny pebbles.
And that was it- now I just needed to do this will my entire sand collection!
Sand Collection Display in a Vintage Spice Rack
Just like that, my sand collection and display was done.
The vintage spice rack worked perfectly for it, and it will be lovely as coastal decor all summer long, too!
As luck would have it, I found yet another spice rack that just needed a little repair work. After I fixed it up, I went ahead and painted it to see which one I preferred!
Either way you go about it, a wooden spice rack is simply ideal for displaying a sand collection. From recycling the glass spice jars, to creating labels with beach names, it ends up being creative storage AND coastal decor.
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for coastal decor, then you may also be interested in my coastal farmhouse candles! As you can tell, I just love beach themed decor.
And for even more inspiration for coastal decor ideas, this collection of repurposing projects is full of beach decor ideas!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Lovely! What a great idea. I will be doing this also!
Thank you so very much, Nancy!
I have done this with mason jars, added a photo from our trip and a tag for the date and location. Only wish I had done this for prior trips. Maybe I should reach out and request a bit of sand from those areas!!
I suppose it can never hurt to ask, right? And I agree…I REALLY wish I had done this for all of my trips, especially the ones overseas.
Miss Sadie ,I like both versions. The blue looks good with the labels,that have blue in them. I love blue,so you can paint anything in the color and I am. happy!!I haven’t seen a spice rack like yours in forever. I know you will find an ingenious use for the purple rack in the future.?
Thank you so much, Charleen- that’s why I’m giving away the unpainted version, in case others have a hard time finding one!
My sister has been doing this for years! But her spice rack isn’t near as pretty as yours. Pinning and share with her so she can see how to transform hers with a pretty beach vibe.
Thanks, Marie!!! I hope she likes it. 🙂
omg’sh- this is adorable!!! Hate to say it against the “non painters” but the beachy blue is what sells this!!
Thank you, Scotty! And I agree, I much prefer the blue one…but I’m hoping the anti-painters appreciate my efforts. 😉
Love this! I can see it hanging in a condo on a warm beach! The color really makes this 🙂 You amaze me as usual 🙂
Thank you so much, Christina!
This was a great idea!
Appreciate that, Vickie!
What a cute and creative idea, I love it! Have a wonderful week!
Thank you so much, Pam!
Love this idea… the labels are just the right touch. I’m leaning towards the blue!
Thank you, Nancy- that seems to be the consensus!
Sadie, this is so clever, I love the coastal look, especially the aqua/turquoise color!!
I would love to have you stop by and share this and other ideas on Oh My Heartsie Girls parties!!
Have a great week!
Thank you so much, Karren! Appreciate the invite.
Such a great idea, I love it! I have only collected shells, sea glass, and driftwood from my beach travels, now I will have to add sand! I have to say, I love them both painted and wood tone.
I love the blue one but even more, I love how all these folks went to the trouble of sending you a bit of their lovely beach sand. It makes for a lovely pay it forward story that makes you feel good!
Thank you!
What a magnificent spice rack!
I need to get one of these fro my son as he collects sand from all our beach holidays.
OMG, I cant say how much I love this idea. We love to travel and I do have one of these racks. Thank you so much for sharing your unique idea.
Perfect!!
Great project. I liked the blue better as it had an ocean vibe going for it. Back in the day before I started seriously crafting, I used 2 similar spice racks to house my acrylic paint bottles! Now, one of those spinner racks isn’t enough room!